Unity: A Call to Prayer
by Mike Killebrew
I have a vivid memory from nearly 30 years ago of attending a retirement party for a beloved local band and orchestra director. The celebration was on the floor of the gymnasium at the Junior High School and the crowd filled every available bleacher seat. The organizers had sent invitations to all the students who, over the years, the man of the hour had taught to play an instrument. They were asked to come play in his orchestra one last time. I suspect from the healthy turnout of both participants and crowd, that he probably taught them more than just music. He had invested in them, and they were celebrating him. If you’ve ever seen the Richard Dreyfuss movie Mr. Holland’s Opus, this was a similar scene. There were probably 150 people (or more) in this retirement party orchestra. It was made up of all different ages, abilities, and they played a variety of instruments. I remember showing up a little early, sitting on the wooden bleacher waiting for the event to start. It was painful in more ways than one; the bleachers were hard and uncomfortable, and the band was warming up. Let’s just say that “warm up time” did not create a pleasant sound as a room full of people were making loud sounds…in complete disunity.
However, a few minutes later, the retiring band director took his place up on the podium, holding his baton high. The room hushed in silence and anticipation, and all the band members watched carefully, ready to follow his lead. After a long, pregnant pause, he dropped his baton and began conducting. Wow…it was incredible sound of so many instruments being played together. My non-musical ears heard a beautiful sound as it filled that gymnasium. It was remarkable to hear as all those instruments wielded by a room full of junior high students and adults played together in unison! They were simply there for their beloved teacher, trying their best to bring honor and celebrate him on this special occasion. I sat on the edge of my seat for the next half hour, completely mesmerized and forgetting about the discomfort of those wooden bleachers. Unity and willingness to follow the leader created a beautiful sound!
Our good word this month is unity and we’ve learned much about it through several excellent articles in Be Encouraged and by watching the e2 video podcasts. The case has clearly been made for why our unity, as believers, is so important. When we are unified, we make a beautiful sound, a sound that leaves the world sitting on the edge of its seat, wanting to hear more. As we all know too well, the opposite is also true. When we are not unified, that makes a sound as well, and that sound isn’t very pleasant. After learning all about how to pursue unity, could we commit to follow the lead of Jesus and pray for unity? Why? Because unity creates a place for others to believe. In John 13:35 Jesus tells His disciples that “all people will know that you are my followers if you love each other.” Our unity with each other gives reason for others to have belief. Our unity as believers is the loudspeaker for world to hear the good news of Jesus.
In recognizing how important our unity is for the furthering of the Kingdom of God and the gospel message, let’s follow the lead of Jesus. Let’s join with Jesus and pray for unity, the kind of unity that can only happen when we follow Him. In John 17:23, Jesus gives us an example of a prayer for unity as he prayed, “May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that you sent me.” Jesus was not praying for us to have safety or happiness or success, He prayed that we would be one. He also didn’t pray for us to always be right. He prayed for us to be one, all for the purpose of creating a beautiful sound for the world to hear about Him.
Unity doesn’t need to be created; it needs to be kept. We need to pray that unity is kept. When we as individuals stop following the lead of Jesus, we disrupt the unity in the body that He creates. Our unity is completely dependent on following the lead of Jesus. While we can’t control others, we can choose to follow Jesus and that is the most unifying action we can take. When Paul was writing the church in Ephesus, in a call for unity between Jews and Gentiles, he tells the believers in to “make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace” (Eph. 4:3, emphasis added). Perhaps we need to concentrate more on getting ourselves out of the way and relying on the power of Lord to keep unity? That’s the way He designed it to work.
To “make every effort to keep unity,” please consider this question: when was the last time you followed the lead of Jesus and prayed for unity?
While taking on the task of praying for unity, please consider the following:
Pray for the unity of your church leadership. The church’s ability to accomplish its mission can rise and fall based on the unity of leadership. Pray for the staff and elders who bear the burden of leadership. Hebrews 13:17 tells us that, “They keep watch over you as men who must give an account. Obey them so that their work will be a joy, not a burden, for that would be of no advantage to you.” Additionally, made sure they know you are praying for their unity as your spiritual leaders.
Pray frequently for unity; add the topic of unity to your daily prayer journal.
Pray for your own participation in unity. Ask the Lord to reveal areas in your heart that may be contributing to disunity in the ministry teams on which you participate.
Pray for specific situations. Pray for people by name with specific requests of the Lord. James 4:2 tells us “You do not have, because you do not ask God.”
Pray against the kingdom of darkness and its influence, as Satan wants nothing more than to divide.
Please join with me and commit to praying for unity as we follow the lead of Jesus!
